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Red Bull coy over impact of new Mercedes wing

Mercedes' front-wing design has caught the attention of some in the pit-lane.

Helmut Marko believes other Formula 1 teams will be anticipating the results of scrutineering at the Spanish Grand Prix around Mercedes' front-wing.  The Brackley squad introduced a new design of front-wing in Canada, ditching its low-drag option for a more conventional-looking design, with it appearing to flex whilst on-track.  The design has passed FIA checks to ensure no advantage has been gained with teams all hoping to create a degree of flexing to aid downforce.  Red Bull has been the subject of 'flexi-wing' checks in the past, with motorsport advisor Marko explaining his thinking on the situation. "You can't say that," Marko told OE24 when asked if Red Bull had requested the FIA to take a closer look at the Mercedes front-wing.  "From the TV pictures in Montreal, you can clearly see that the wings of Russell and Hamilton are bending noticeably - but the wings had the necessary strength to pass scrutineering.  "It doesn't surprise me and I don't know how often we've had to check our wings in the past.  "In the race, the wing then lowers, which ensures better aerodynamics. "Of course, this will be viewed critically by the competition and not just us."  

What happens next?

No protest against the Mercedes was lodged in Canada, although teams can do so at any point during an upcoming race weekend.  Marko believes the outcome of usual pre-race scrutineering will be keenly awaited by all teams, and not just Red Bull. "Everything was fine in Montreal, and in Barcelona and Spielberg, they will have to pass scrutineering again," he said. "It's a popular game to push everything to the limit so that it passes during technical scrutineering."

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